This week has been really slow in terms of work.. But we're still pushing hard. One GREAT thing that happened this week that I'd like to concentrate on however was Saturday. Saturday Elder Botcha and I traveled back to Gilllingham 2! Clinton, the investigator I found when I first got there wanted me to baptize him and so with Presidents permission and after Clinton asking quite a few times, I was privileged to help him make that covenant with God. It was great to see how far he's come. He is completely a changed man. He will tell anyone how he was before and how many bad things he did and how it didn't help him one bit. But when he recognized the spirit calling him back he heeded the call and embraced God's love. He took all the necessary steps to change his life and let it sink deep within and now he is a strong, clean soul. He's become one of my best friends and I'm glad God blessed me to be a part of his growth. I love being able to see how everyone is always growing. We had a newly returned sister missionary speak on Sunday. She just returned from Chile and the thing that stuck most with her that she shared was about how everyone is on a path of progression. And it's through the gospels help that we can go faster in our progression. It's inspired me to work harder to help more people see the progress they can make! I know I can still make a lot of progress and I'm happy to do so, especially on my mission. Next week p-day will be on Tuesday! Work hard on progress this week.
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I've gotten to a point where I've no idea what to say! Haha but it's been good. I love being here. It's really become my way of life. I can't really imagine what I did back home (besides the memories with some friends and family) because I feel like this is all I've ever done! It's my whole being - missionary work. And I love it. It brings a lot of blessings and I love being able to see how the Lord works in others lives. This week we've gotten 4 people to the point where they'll accept a baptismal date. I know that it's not possible without God. I'm happy my companion and I are the ones God is working through to help these people. The work is being hastened and God is preparing more people for the gospel! It's fantastic. Everyone is a part of this work. Have a great week! Find those opportunities! Elder Jespersen
No email message from Ben this week. We Skyped with him on Mother's Day and he is doing great. He did send new pictures, 44 of them, and they have been added to the slide show.
This week has been good! On Tuesday we got to have a dinner appointment and took dessert. Unfortunately the English don't eat heavy desserts too much and we brought way too much haha and they couldn't eat it! But it was great, they're a fantastic family and we got to talk about a lot of good things. Wednesday we met a great guy from Croatia. He's been looking into the church for a really long time and he knows a ton. He was just visiting and we went out to lunch for a bit to talk. We got to share about our experiences in how we've gained our testimonies. He is such a good sincere guy and wants to feel it's right before he gets baptized. That's what is asked of everyone! A sincere heart.
Thursday Elder Botcha had a meeting all day. So I went with Elder Wentzel (my mission cousin) and we had a blast in Whitechapel! We didn't have any set appointments so we just started traveling anywhere and talking the whole time. It was fantastic and it got me excited to meet new people! Friday Elder Botcha and I continued on the travel talking and met a few more great people. I love having the opportunity to talk to so many diverse people here in London! It's like I can meet someone from Ireland and then see someone from Africa! It's great. I've been able to make a lot of friends all over the world. Sunday was crazy! We tried to help some investigators to come to church... We ended up being late by 40 minutes to church. So we missed the sacrament. But the investigators came! It felt really weird and sad to not be able to take the sacrament. Thinking that I missed my chance. Luckily we got to take it in the Portuguese ward later but at the time it felt like I was messing up my week. I think sacrament is an important preparation for everyone's week going into the world. It is a much needed protection. It helped me to think a lot about what the sacrament signifies and the sacrifice made. I would hate to waste that opportunity for a fresh start because of a mistake. This was a good learning week. I'm happy to be here and sharing the gospel to the world. Pictures next week, I hope! It is fantastic to hear missionary experiences from members. They are so much more precious. Yesterday we had a missionary themed sacrament meeting. We had two people confirmed into the church and it was fantastic to see their bright smiling faces. Then some missionaries got to speak and we shared experiences about our own missionary work. But the first was our ward mission leader and his experience was great. He shared about how he introduced the gospel and it brought him to life. He was so happy. I love seeing that. Then at the end a new sister missionary got up and shared her past experience. Then she explained how her friend she had tried so hard to show the gospel to came and visited her (she's from England ha) and she got to actually teach her as a missionary. It was fantastic and it really filled the room with the spirit. I love to hear how people's lives are touched by the spirit.
We met with one man who was referred to us by another mission. He recently turned away from Islamic views and has been looking for God's kingdom on the earth. We shared with him about the restoration of the gospel and how the spirit testifies to us. He lit up like a firework. He was so excited to hear about it and to try and pray to see the answer. He was such a genuine and sincere man. God really prepared him to hear this. And I know he prepares people like that everyday. It's just up to all of us, as members to find them and to see that they're prepared. I love the way God works. The reason I say that is simply because I forgot my planner at home and cannot recall anything else from the week hahaha so have a good week! Mine was made great by seeing God help a man feel the spirit. What's made your week great? MOVES!!! But none in our companionship haha we'll be staying together in Whitechapel! In fact our whole district is staying together except one sister. It's been a great week!
Tuesday we had a workover with my old trainer!! Elder Wilcox and I had an amazing day in Whitechapel and got to talk to a ton of people and meet a few new members. Him and I got on really well and it was great to catch up again. Sad thing is he's no longer going to be Zone Leader here so I won't see him for another little while. Wednesday we got to do some service where our ward mission leader sliced his finger open... Poor guy. But he bandaged it up quick so he could go to his major interview in an hour or two hah. We also got to see a wonderful part member family and had an amazing conversation about how the gospel was restored and why it matters now. The non-member realized why it's more important to act now than later and we got to testify of Jesus Christ's sacrifice. It was a great day. Thursday was hilarious because we knocked on this one lady's door and started talking to her and then this other lady called us from the street so I went over and started talking to here so Elder Botcha and I were both carrying on different gospel conversations! It was funny. They were nice elderly ladies. GOOD Friday we had Zone Conference! It was great, President Jordan taught us about the Fall of Adam and Eve and why it makes the Atonement so important. It was fantastic to receive the trainings. We also got to have the pizza we always get at Zone Conference haha so bonus. Then after that an old investigator walked through the door and we got to teach him right there and then. He seemed to want to get back on track and start progressing! On Easter Sunday we had a great meeting at church and then after we got to go to a baptismal service for two wonderful people. The spirit was very strong there and afterwards they had the opportunity to get up and share their testimonies and it was absolutely precious. They want to serve God so much. It was a amazing week! Especially with Easter in it. I'm happy to be able to stay in Whitechapel! It'll be wonderful to serve here for a little while longer. If none of you have: go to easter.mormon.org and watch the video on there. It might be my favourite. Have a blessed week! Sorry I missed last week! It was hectic and we left emailing til too late. I only had time for a few people..
Last week first! It was a fantastic week. On Thursday we went in the evening to go on Facebook and try to talk to some people. We go to an internet café to do this and we’re starting to get close to the managers and such. This evening on our way out one of them asked who we were. They had been confused a lot thinking we were school kids skipping school! It was illegal for them to let us and so he wanted to find out.We got into a fantastic and long discussion about what we teach. We told him about the gospel and the Book of Mormon. He began telling about his Muslim beliefs and we established a lot of common ground. Especially in relation to our beliefs in the bible. They believe in somewhat of an apostasy as well and we agree that there must be a correct and true word of God. It was great and he even told the other manager what a good job we were doing being ‘God’s servants’. It was a great end to the day. On Saturday we went to see a less active man that we see every week. Because they have General Conference at 5 and we saw him at 3:30 we got to take him along to go and see it! It was a good experience for both of us. He loves coming but can’t make it often in the mornings.. After that we went teaching with the bishop. Had an interesting step in. I love meeting Pentecostal Born Again people because they’re so excited to talk about the gospel and they have a good faith in God. We met one while trying to visit a less active and had a good conversation. The best part was that he testified to us of the love he felt from us as we came in. It was really neat. Sunday, Elder Botcha and I had a great step in! After a session of conference we were leaving the Visitors Centre and a man stopped us in the entrance with his baby child. He started asking questions about us and our beliefs and we shared a prayer with him. He was a good man. His name was Isaac and his son was called Jacob haha and he lives in our area. Now for this week it has been even better. On Tuesday we had a study in the morning with our Mission President! It was really cool. He knows a lot. We studied about family history and how to use it as a tool to help people taste the gospel. Then later on we used what we learned and taught a recent convert who needs to do some work for his late sister. It’s fantastic that we all have the opportunity to do a great redemptive missionary work through family history. On Wednesday we had a great miracle. So on Wednesday we were out in the morning trying to see an investigator but unfortunately he wasn't home. So we decided to go see a less active near the area but we couldn't find his street! So this cycle courier was going by and we asked him. He directed us to one end of the street and when we tried, it wasn't correct.. He rode up and said it might've been the other way! We gave him a card and started off. When we got to the end it still wasn't the right road... So we decided to go tract where he directed us. We prayed for guidance. The first door we called at, a woman looked out her window and we said we wanted to share a message about Jesus and the happiness it brings. She looked away to think for a bit and turned back to say that she happily had a minute. We had a wonderful conversation with her. Her brother does something similar to what we do and she always was curious what Mormons believe. We shared a few beliefs and gave her a Book of Mormon. It was a fantastic experience and she felt the spirit we carried. Miracles happen everyday and not just for missionaries, but for everyone. Then later that day we met with a part member family and got to teach the plan of salvation. The non-member husband just soaked up everything we taught. It’s amazing how it just clicked with everything for him. I’m glad we have that knowledge and can share it with those who don’t know. Thursday we had a good experience of helping those in need. We were heading home and I noticed a man sitting near a pay phone that I had seen earlier who looked lost and alone. We turned back to talk to him and he didn’t know English. He was from Romania and spoke Italian. Luckily Elder Botcha speaks a tiny bit of Italian! So we figured out he need to make a call. We let him borrow our phone and his friend wasn’t going to be able to pick him up. He had just come from France with no money and no place to sleep or anything. He was looking for work and his friend had something but wasn’t able to help him. So we called our mission president and got permission to call an Italian elder and figured out he didn’t have any plans and was lost about what to do. So we called his friend one more time and explained what situation he was in and his friend figured out a way to come help. It was really good that we stopped and let him borrow our phone, otherwise he would’ve not gotten any help at all. His friend wouldn’t have come and he couldn’t speak the language! We were happy that we could help. We left him with our card and wished him well. Friday we got to do service! There aren’t many opportunities here so we grab every one we can. Sunday we got to work with a fantastic missionary minded member. After conference we had lunch and splits with the YSA. We went to our area with one and saw four less actives within an hour and a half! It was amazing and the YSA really enjoyed it too. Afterwards we met with the member family he lives with and set up a dinner appointment. They’re a really good family and think about missionary work a lot. It’s been fantastic seeing the progress here. It’s a lot faster paced than my previous areas and it’s a wonderful experience. Sorry this is long! Have a good week. And follow the apostles advice! Read Preach My Gospel! This week has been wonderful! We started a new and interesting way of doing missionary work! On Friday we had a special conference with President Jordan and he told us ow to use Facebook as missionaries! The England London Mission has been chosen as one of the first missions besides the pilot missions to use Online Proselyting. So after that we got on Facebook! It has been so weird trying to use Facebook as a missionary because I'm used to it being used in a different way! But I'm sure it'll be a great tool to connect with investigators and members on a more personal level by getting to know them better. Plus we can communicate with them in more ways! So hopefully it'll become a great tool in missionary work! One thing is; we can't friend family and friends back home so don't add me. So here in London it's hard trying to find service to do for people! But we got to do service this week on Wednesday for a sister who just moved into the ward. It was great, I love doing service and helping people out in any way possible. Another miracle that happened! So on Thursday we were out trying to find a less active and we tried knocking doors around them. We decided to knock this one door and we ended up having a great conversation with the person about a lot of our similar beliefs! He was great at making jokes too and we set a time to go see him again. Then we tried to make it to an appointment of ours with a member early so we could grab a bite to eat. We went a different way than Elder Botcha is used to and when we got off the tube we walked right into the member! He had just stepped off the tube too and we went with him for a pizza. Turns out he knows my uncle because they both work for Apple and live pretty close to each other haha. Saturday (the day after receiving Facebook) we ran into a guy on the street and had a great talk and both thought it'd be great to talk more but he was going to Moscow very soon and we weren't hah so we invited him to be Facebook friends and he accepted our card. So hopefully that'll be a good testimony that Facebook can bring miracles. Sunday was the British Mother's Day! So HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! We had our fast and testimony meeting which was just fantastic. And at the end I still hadn't had the chance to get up and introduce myself so the bishop just waited on the stand a bit so I could bear mine as well. It was hilarious and I was happy to be able to tell how grateful I am to my own mother for being a great example. Missionary work is a great thing and I'm so happy to be a part of this wonderful cause. Until next week! Elder Jespersen
Hello from London!! This week has been a great week! I've seen so much! It's been crazy. There is so much to see in London! There is also so many people to talk to! It's great. New faces every day.
It was a great first sacrament meeting! The people here in the ward are wonderful and they're a close knit group. I love them already. They welcome so many people! In the meeting an American family spoke about Jesus Christ and His light that each and every one of us have. It was really inspiring because the light of Christ is with everyone and it affects each person in their own way. I think it's a wonderful gift God has given us. So things have been great with Elder Botcha! For some reason we're both trying to read Book of Mormons in different languages haha, him in German and me in Tagalog! It's interesting the conversations about language we get into! He also tells me a bit of Hindi and apparently is going to teach me to make curry! I'm excited haha. It's great serving with him, he's a good teacher and helps people feel comfortable. Pretty much how we travel all the time is on double decker buses and the tubes! It's so fun. And we can talk to a lot of people! It's great being able to teach people here in Whitechapel. I look forward to every day I've got! My new address is Flat 1, 25 Louisa StreetStepney Green, London E1 4NF Pictures soon! I want to add a bit. I had a MIRACLE!!! So today we were going to Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) to meet with some friends but it turned out we couldn't find them! So we went to Trafalgar Square and then decided to head to South Kensington to see if we could hang out with other missionaries. So when we got on the tube we sat down but then a stop later some people got in and we offered our seats to them. So I was standing in the middle while Elder Botcha was close to the door. There was a mother and her daughter sitting in front of where I was standing were speaking to each other like they were lost and they sounded American! So I said hello and asked if they knew where they were headed. They said South Kensington! So I said don't worry, it's in a couple stops, we can show you. Turns out they were staying near our Hyde Park chapel and were from Missouri and it was their first time in the tubes haha so we started to show them back through the station. As we went along we started talking about what we were all doing here in England. They said they were on holiday and we talked about being missionaries. So we invited them to take a tour of our Hyde Park chapel and they said sure why not! We had a great time touring it with them. Afterwards we showed them out and got their information so we could send some missionaries to them in Missouri. I think the best part about it was that they got to learn about what we believe which was extremely similar to their beliefs and we got to make a good friend. They'll be touring a little more of Europe though so I'm a bit jealous haha but it was a great miracle we could see. God works in wonderful ways to connect people and help them hear about the gospel. Elder Jespersen I'm heading out, going to Whitechapel, in the heart of London where I can talk to the mission president all the time haha but I am also pretty sad. I've grown to love Kent. I loved serving here in G2. The members are great and I've made lots of friends out here. I'm sad to see it go. But I'll be moving to somewhere fast. I'll be with Elder Botcha, an Indian who is a transfer younger than me, we're co companions! It'll be fantastic. This week we've done a ton of service. I love doing service, something I've learned here is that it doesn't happen unless you look for it. There are so many opportunities I know I missed back home to serve so many people but for some reason I didn't. Here I've learned how to see a need and help even if the people don't know they need it at first! It's been wonderful and it's so fulfilling. It makes people happy and it blesses the ones who serve as well! I love it. So I want to invite all who reads this - pray to see those opportunities to serve! They come all the time, and God can help you see them. I promise you you'll see the blessings come as you try to serve your very best, even if it's just small and simple, like helping your parent or your friend or anyone at all. Sorry it's short, busy last days; I've got a lot of people to say goodbye to! Elder JespersenELM 2013-2015 |